11 Years!

Wow, it's almost hard to remember what life was like 11 years ago. Only one little brand new baby, we were living in an apartment, Joey had just started his first year of teaching.  My life was turned upside down with feedings, diaper changes, and comforting a crying little baby.  This week 11 years ago was completely different than the week we have just had.  This week was filled with soccer practice, play practice, Sammie has a never-ending cough, all of my kids are now in school, homework, piano lessons, piano practice, taking care of the puppy, kids getting themselves ready for school, dropping off at school, picking up from the bus stop.  Things are so different now.  Both times and the times in between have been some of the best times.
Olivia is such an amazing person.  We just love her and who she is growing into.  She's smart, funny, fun, creative, and kind.  Her favorites at 11 years old are:
clothes
her new bike
the color orange
elephants (she has quite the collection)
reading fantasy and historical fiction
drawing
writing stories

 Her birthday loot from Grandparents.

 Her oreo ice cream cake.

A few things...

A few thoughts this month...
Nate and Dianna and my mom stopped by and stayed the night while they were on their way to Disneyland.  We love seeing family and were happy to be a stop on the way.  They even made it to Sammie's soccer game then we headed to Freddy's for dinner.

Sammie earns points from her piano teacher and then receives little treats and prizes for them.  A couple of weeks ago she picked out some clay.  She made the cutest little animals that she added to lots of others that she has made.  Sammie loves to use her hands.

Last Sunday morning I overheard Sammie say so sweetly, "Olivia, will you help me pick out something to wear to church."  Sister love melts my heart.

On the way home from the bus stop one afternoon Abby's friend said, "Your dog looks like he is a famous dog."  He does sort of have that look.

Life is the Best

Yesterday was a particularly rough day.  I was exhausted and spent by the end of the day.  Last night I was helping Abby in her bedroom. I was on my knees and then flopped my body over so that my head was on the floor and my arms stretched out, like a yoga pose.  Abby asked, "Are you doing yoga, mom?"
"No, I'm just tired."
"Why are you so tired?"
"I don't know....from life."
"Life?!! ...But life is the best!!!"
She is absolutely right.
I get some of the best advice from my 5 year old.

And back to a busy life

After the summer it's always a bit of a shock to get back into routines and start doing activities again.  Sammie and Abby are both doing soccer.  Their first games were last weekend.  We got an email about 3 weeks ago saying that neither of their teams had coaches, so Joey volunteered us to be coaches for both teams!  I am actually enjoying it though Joey is doing most of the work while I am helping him create the plans for practice.  I would like to be in there more, but we're doing the best we can.  Thankfully Abby doesn't have practice during the week. 
It was a hot day and we had games in the morning and were still sweating bullets.  Sammie had a cold and wasn't feeling that great, but she played well and gave it her best when she was in.  Abby scored a goal, that I didn't see.  That always seems to happen.  We will have busy Saturdays for the next couple of months and I look forward to watching these girls play hard :)

 I love Abby's face in this one after she ran through the tunnel.